Rose "Haydee," the stage name of Rose Brown Wakely, was the first lady of early Colorado state and became the most popular entertainer in Central City after arriving in September 1859, winning the miners' affection. She then suddenly disappeared. Suspicion focused on Thomas Evans, a gambling man of rather "satanic good looks," and townspeople believed it was no coincidence that on Tuesday, November 13, 1860, just before a performance starring her, both Rose and Evans were gone. Justice Downing issued a warrant for the arrest of a man accused of abducting a young girl "for the basest of all imaginable purposes." Evans was overtaken on the road to the States and brought back to Central City with Rose. He was tried for abduction under a handy and sturdy tree prepared to facilitate hanging, but Rose saved him by declaring that they had been married. The next day, November 24, 1860, Rose Haydee became, through marriage in earnest, Mrs. Thomas Evans of Central City, Colorado.